Become a Volunteer

Give Your Time… and Your Heart

Why Volunteer?

As of January 1, 2021, we will be placing the orientation of new applicants for our Volunteer Program on a temporary hold to allow us time to get current applicants on-boarded–a process that has been delayed due to COVID.

We will also be moving into our new facility in Fishers in early Spring 2021, so our team will need to revamp many parts of the program including the new volunteer orientation process. Therefore, we won’t be on-boarding new volunteers until after our transition into the new facility this Spring.

Volunteers are critical to our operation, so thank you for your interest and desire to support our life-saving efforts. You may submit your application and we will hold it until orientations resume. We appreciate your support and patience as we work through COVID delays and our first quarter transition to a brighter future.

Already a volunteer? Click here to login to our Volunteer Portal!

Become a Volunteer

How to Become a Volunteer

To become a volunteer, begin by completing our online volunteer application form. You can complete it online, print it out and mail it, or bring it to the shelter in person.

Next, we’ll ask you to complete a volunteer orientation session where you’ll get to:

*Receive and review your volunteer handbook
*Learn about HSHC’s history and no-kill philosophy
*Discover the best ways to match your skills and interests with our needs
*Tour the facility and meet our adoptable pets

Volunteer Application

Volunteering by the Numbers

36933

Hours volunteered in 2019
576

Volunteers serving HSHC
32

Different volunteer opportunities at any given time
  • 01.

    Volunteer Opportunities for Adults

    Shelter volunteers fulfill so many critical needs for us such as:

    • Operations Support (e.g. laundry, dishes, general housekeeping, cage/kennel cleaning, feeding)
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Dog Walking
    • Lobby Greeter
    • Animal Transport
    • Transporting, handling & advocating for adoptable animals at special events
    • Supporting the marketing team at special events
    • Special Office Projects
    • Fundraising/Marketing Support (e.g. event planning, procurement of auction items)
    • Building Maintenance & Lawn Care Projects

     

    Become a Volunteer
  • 02.

    Lead Volunteer Program

    We have a limited number of Lead Volunteer Positions within our organization. These special volunteers are considered a part of our staff in that they are included in  strategic planning meetings and offer input on HSHC programs, policies and procedures.  Lead Volunteers are often placed into positions that require supervision of other volunteers, so they receive special training as needed.

    Because we ask a lot of our Lead Volunteers, HSHC offers our leads some pretty cool perks:

    • Leads are featured on our website as part of Our Team alongside our HSHC Management Team and receive a special Lead Volunteer name tag.
    • Leads receive two complimentary tickets to our major annual fundraisers–Tinsel & Tails and Wine, Wags & Whiskers.
    • Leads and their plus ones are invited to join us for our annual employee holiday party.

    And last, but certainly not least…our leads receive many of the same great pet perks as our employees including:

    • Annual vaccines and labs (e.g., bloodwork, fecal, urinalysis) at HSHC’s cost which is a fraction of the cost at most veterinary practices
    • Order non-prescription medications at HSHC’s cost (preventatives, supplements)
    • Order prescription foods (with a prescription from a veterinarian) at HSHC’s cost

  • 03.

    Corporate Group Volunteer Opportunities

    Many organizations encourage their employees to give back to the community. Some even offer a paid day off to do it! If you’d like to organize a group volunteer day at the shelter, please read our Group Volunteer Policies here. You can also download the form linked in the button below and email it back to our Volunteer Program Manager at volunteers@hamiltonhumane.com.

    Group Volunteer Form
  • 04.

    Student Volunteer Program

    HSHC offers a Student Volunteer Program for those 16 years of age or older in need of completing service hours for their class requirements or club service projects.  Students who wish to enter this program will be able to assist HSHC with a variety of volunteer opportunities.

    Opportunities include but are not limited to:

    • Support Help at our facility doing tasks such as laundry, dishes, cleaning, working in our food storage room, and helping us maintain our grounds.
    • Assisting the staff in various office tasks.
    • Assisting at off-site events.

    Click here to read our Student Volunteer Program guidelines.

    Contact Us
  • 05.

    Court Ordered Community Service

    The Court Ordered Community Service Program is available for individuals who are required to complete court ordered community service hours. Please review our Court Ordered Community Service Program guidelines.

    Email Volunteer Program Manager

Volunteer Spotlight: Trudy Baldwin

Read Her Story

Trudy has logged more hours than any other volunteer in the history of HSHC.  She began her volunteerism as a dog walker, but at the time, we didn’t have a formalized program.  Trudy took the lead in developing the Dog Walking Program including the processes and procedures we still use to this day.   The impact Trudy has had, and continues to have, on our organization is beyond measure.

  • Trudy Baldwin has been a Lead Volunteer with HSHC for over a decade.  Trudy was instrumental in the development of our Dog Walking Program and manages it to this day.

Love & Let Live

Every animal deserves a second chance at love — and life. We invite you to be part of the solution and give back to the animals who give us so much.

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